Variable Annuity Fee Quick Reference Guide

Variable annuity contracts are generally more expensive than mutual funds. The richer the guarantees carried by a contract, the higher the corresponding costs will be. Fees are charged on account value.

Deferred variable annuity contracts will generally charge:

An administrative fee (typically from 0.10 to 0.25%). This fee covers reporting, generating reports, online security and account access. Administrative fees may be waived for accounts with initial balances of more than $1 million.

Mortality and expense fees (typically ranging from 1.0% - 1.5%). These fees are used to provide insurance death benefits if the contract holder passes away and to compensate the insurance company for risks associated with holding the contract.

Mortality and expense fees will vary based on how much the insurance company has promised to pay at the death of the owner. Simple death benefit options, such as promising to return the current account balance to the contract owner at death, will have lower mortality and expense charges (0.5 – 1.0%) than those promising more sophisticated death benefits (such as a multiple of the contract premium), or elaborate calculations taking into consideration the highest contract value on specific contract anniversary dates (1.0% - 2.0%).

Fees for any additional optional benefits. These benefits, such as guaranteed minimum returns or sustainable lifetime withdrawals, will add to the cost of a contract. While additional features vary widely by insurer, they can generally be pooled into “income” related features, “death” related features or “access” related features.

Income feature fees guarantee that a cash flow stream from the contract will continue uninterrupted regardless of market fluctuation. Income features vary dramatically by insurance companies but generally range in annual cost between 0.5 – 1.5%. Consumers who do not currently need withdrawals from the annuity contract should consider their options carefully before purchasing this type of benefit.

Death feature fees are generally wrapped into the mortality and expense charges of a contract. The simplest death benefit is a return of the initial premium paid to the insurance company. More complicated features promise an elevated death benefit of some sort. Death provisions can be complicated and are often not needed by consumers using annuities as an investment and retirement tool.

Access feature fees ensure access your funds such as being able to withdraw account dollars free of any early withdrawal penalty in the event of a terminal illness, disability or long-term care need, are common in today’s annuity contracts. Access features may be standard in some contracts but may carry additional cost in others.

In addition to these fees, variable contracts will also charge direct or indirect asset management fees. All totaled, a deferred variable annuity will typically range in cost between 1.75% annually, for a contract with few bells and whistles, to over 3.25% annually, for a contract with income and death benefit guarantees. Understand the exact purpose of each fee and compare fees across insurance companies before you purchase a variable annuity.

The video below can help you understand more about the fees associated with variable annuities.

Life Insurance Guide

Learn more about the various life insurance options available to you that can help you achieve your goals.

Disclaimer: The videos, articles, and downloadable booklets presented here are intended as information only and are not intended to repesent tax, legal, or investment advice. Financial products can differ based on your state of residence, your age and the product you select. Many financial products such as annuities may contain surrender charges and/or restrictions on access to your funds. Optional lifetime income benefit riders are used to calculate lifetime payments only and are not available for cash surrender or in a death denefit unless specified in the annuity contract. In some annuity products, fees can apply when using an income rider. Guarantees are based on the financial strength and claims paying ability of the insurance company. It is important that you read all insurance contract disclosures carefully before making a purchase decision. Rates and returns mentioned on any program presented are subject to change without notice.